Razor



Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES A'E'ENT OFFICE RAZOR Application June 1, 1935, Serial No. 24,504

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improved safety razors, particularly of the type employing reciprocating blades, and especially provides improvements upon the type of razor disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,890,733 to John L.

King.

A razor of the general type to which the present invention is directed may comprise a blade holder including a blade support and a cooperating retainer having a saddle slidably mounted thereon. A driving roller may be supported by the retainer and be arranged to cause reciprocation of the saddle. The latter has depending means such as a driving pin to reciprocate the blade in a path parallel to its cutting edge or edges. Thus as the razor is drawn over the flesh of the user the roller is rotated to cause the movement of the blade in a path parallel to its cutting edge.

The present invention particularly provides an improved arrangement of the saddle and the mounting thereof to facilitate the smooth operation of the parts without undue wear or tendency toward binding, and also to facilitate the engagement of the driving pin of the saddle with the blade when the retainer is moved to its normal operative position.

To permit these desirable results, the saddle may be provided with grooved portions slidably to interfit with the retainer and arranged to hold these parts against relative vertical movement. Thus means are provided positively to prevent the upward movement of the saddle toward the roller so that upward movement is not limited merely by the cam portion of the driving roller as was the case in earlier constructions. For this purpose the saddle may have a body portion formed of sheet metal with upturned side flanges having ears at their ends bent to fit over the upper surface of the retainer at each side of an opening with which the saddle is associated. Below these ears the flanges of the saddle may provide extensions which are shaped so that the saddle engages the lower corner of the material of the retainer at each side of the opening. Thus up ward movement of the saddle is positively prevented.

The present invention also provides a driving pin depending from the mid portion of the saddle and having a conical lower end in contrast to the generally curved and tapered lower portions of the driving pins in earlier constructions. Since the lower portion of the driving pin afforded by the present invention has substantially the form of a true cone corresponding to a surface which may be generated by the movement of a straight line, and since the saddle is restrained from vertical movement relative to the retainer, the engagement of the driving pin with the blade is greatly facilitated. Thus when the retainer is swung to its normal position, the pointed conical 5 end of the driving pin engages a central opening in the blade, the latter thereupon ordinarily being slidable along its path by the cam-like action of the end of the pin until the body portion of the latter may be properly received in the open- 10 ing in the blade.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is an enlarged View, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a portion of a razor constructed in accordance with this invention; 15

Fig. 2 is a transverse section indicated by line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the blade holder assembly showing the retainer swung to its inoperative position to permit a blade to be 20 disposed upon the blade support;

Fig. 4 is an isometric View of the improved saddle construction;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale, showing the manner in which the saddle fits with- 25 in the retainer; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a typical blade which may be employed in a razor of this type.

In the accompanying drawing, which may be referred to as illustrating a razor embodying the 30 principles of this invention, the numeral I designates the handle to which the blade support 2 may be connected. This blade support is provided with openings 3 adjoining each of its edges which separate the intermediate portion of the support 35 from an outer, generally rail-like guard portion 4 thereof. The intermediate portion of the support is provided with pairs of upstanding lugs 5 and 6, which are arranged to engage the blade to guide the same in its reciprocatory movement. The 40 upper surface of the support also has small protuberances over which the blade may slide.

The retainer Ii] may be connected to one end of the support 2 by a suitable hinge I I, while its opposite end is provided with a snap clip I2, which 45 may engage the lower surface of the support 2 to hold the retainer in its normal operative position. When the clip I2 is pressed outwardly and upwardly it snaps past the edge of the support 2 so that the retainer may be swung about the hinge H to occupy a position substantially in alignment with the support, as shown in Fig. 3, thus to permit a blade to be disposed upon the support or removed therefrom.

The retainer Ill is provided with integral upstanding ears l5 which are arranged at opposite ends of a central, generally rectangular opening I 6. A driving roller, designated in general by numeral H, has extensions at its opposite ends which are journaled in openings in ears E5. The roll H has corrugated or fluted end portions i8 which are adapted to engage the flesh of the user of the razor so that the roller is rotated when the razor is being used. The central part of the roll ll is provided with a cam groove l9 which may cause two complete reciprocations of a follower stud 20 during one rotation of the roll.

The saddle 30 (Fig. 4) may be formed of sheet metal having a generally rectangular body portion 3! to which the follower stud 20 is fixed. Depending from this portion. of the saddle is a driving pin 32 having a generally cylindrical body portion with flattened sides 32 (Fig. 3) and having a conical lower end 33. This conical portion of the pin has substantially the form of a true cone, 1. e. a cone of the type which may be generated by holding one end of a straight line at a fixed point corresponding to the apex of the cone and moving the other end about the circumference of a circle.

The saddle 30 has parallel flanges 34 integral with its body portion and bent upwardly and inwardly relative to the same to provide beading portions, shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 5. At the corners of the saddle these flanges have extensions 35 from which ears 3E project. The latter are bent to engage the upper curved surface of the retainer, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 5. Between the beading portion 3 4 and the ears 36, the extensions may be shaped to provide grooves slidably interfitting with the parallel sides of opening l6 of the retainer. Thus the saddle 30 is definitely held against vertical movement relative to the retainer so that the follower stud 20 may always remain spaced from the bottom of the cam groove 59, as shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly the cam means and pin are not depended upon to oppose upward movement of the retainer and the latter is definitely held in proper position relative to the retainer so that it may slide thereon despite the twisting strains or thrusts imposed by the cam means.

A razor of the type disclosed herein may include a blade li] such as shown in Fig. 6, this blade having a circular opening M to receive the body portion of the driving pin 32 when the parts are in their normal operative positions. The blade may have similar openings 42 at each side of the opening 45], these openings each having inner, generally rectangular portions t3 and extensions M which terminate in semi-circular extremities d5. At the junctures of the extensions l and the rectangular portions :33 of the openings, shoulders it may be provided to engage the lugs 5.

When a razor of the type described is toabe used, the retainer I is swung to the open position shown in Fig. 3 so that the upper portion of the support 2 is. uncovered. A blade it is then disposed upon protuberances l of the support with the lugs and 6, respectively, received by the portions 43 and l of the openings 52, it being evident that the ends of these lugs are juxtaposed to the sides of the corresponding portions of the openings, thus holding the blade positioned so that it must follow a straight-line path during its reciprocatory movement.

When the blade has thus been positioned, the retainer is swung about the hinge l l to its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, the clip 52 snapping into place to hold the retainer against accidental movement. As the retainer is thus swung to its normal position, the pin 32 may be at either end of its reciprocatory path, but in any case the pointed conical end of this pin engages the opening ll, and if the opening is not properly positioned to receive the cylindrical portion of the pin, the conical portion 33 causes the blade to slide until the opening ll and the pin are substantially concentrically disposed so that the pin may move downwardly into proper engagement with the opening 4|. This ready engagement of the pin and opening is facilitated by the interfitting relationship of the saddle and retainer which prevents the former from being moved toward the roller when the pin initially engages the blade.

When the parts are in normal position, the edges of the retainer properly retain the blade upon the support so that it is held against vertical movement While the lugs 5 and 6 restrain the blade from moving transversely to its cutting edges. However, the blade may reciprocate in a direction parallel to its cutting edges as permitted by the openings i2 and the lugs 5 and 5. When the razor is held in the normal shaving position, the fluted portions 18 of the driving roll ll engage the flesh of the user so that the roll is rotated, causing the cam groove I9 to reciprocate the driven pin 20 which is carried by the saddle 3G. The latter is restrained by the sides of the opening [6 so that it follows a straight-line reciprocatory path parallel to the blade edges, causing the pin 32 to reciprocate the blade.

It is evident that the present invention affords an improved arrangement in a safety razor of the type described, particularly assuring the smooth sliding movement of the retainer without danger of binding and permitting the driven pin to engage only the sides of the cam groove l8. Furthermore, this arrangement cooperates with the conical end portion of the driving pin 32 in assuring the proper engagement of the pin with the blade when the retainer is swung to normal position without liability of cracking or breaking the blade.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the. scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Razor comprising a blade holder, a roller supported by the holder, a saddle slidably mounted on the holder, means operatively interconnecting the roll and saddle to cause reciprocation of the latter in response to rotation of the roller, said holder providing an opening, the saddle having grooved side portions engaging the holder at the sides of the opening to restrain the saddle against movement relative to the holder except in the direction of the reciprocatory movement.

2. Razor comprising a blade support, a retainer normally positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having parallel side portions slidably interfitting with the sides of the opening, means associated with the saddle and roller for causing reciprocation of the latter responsive to rotation of the roller, and means whereby the saddle may reciprocate a blade, said sides of the opening and portions of the saddle being arranged substantially to. prevent relative movement therebetween except along a path parallel to said sides of the opening.

3. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable retainer normally positioned to Cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having parallel grooved side portions slidably interfltting with the sides of the opening, means associated with the saddle and roller for causing reciprocation of the latter responsive to rotation of the roller, means whereby the saddle may reciprocate a blade, the interfitting engagement of the sides of the opening and grooved portions of the saddle preventing relative movement therebetween except along a path parallel to said sides of the opening.

4. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable v retainer normally positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the support, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having parallel grooved side portions slidably interfitting with the sides of the opening, said roller having a cam groove, a follower extending from the saddle and engaging the sides of the cam groove, the interfitting engagement of the sides of the opening and grooved portions of the saddle substantially preventing relative movement therebetween except along a path parallel to said sides of the opening and being effective to prevent the follower from engaging the bottom of the cam groove.

5. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable retainer normally positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having a sheet metal body portion with integral upwardly bent side portions shaped to provide grooves engaging the sides of the opening, means associated with the saddle and roller for causing reciprocation of the latter responsive to rotation of the roller, means whereby the saddle may reciprocate a blade, the interfitting engagement of the sides of the opening and grooved portions of the saddle preventing relative movement therebetween except along a path parallel to said sides of the opening.

6. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable retainer normally positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having a sheet metal body portion with integral upwardly bent parallel flanges at each side thereof, the ends of the flanges being extended to provide ears, grooved portions of the saddle adjoining the ears slidably interfitting with the sides of the opening so that portions of the saddle engage the lower side of the retainer at the edges of the opening, the ends of the ears resting upon the upper surface of the retainer adjoining the opening, means associated with the saddle and roller for causing reciprocation of the latter responsive to rotation of the roller, means whereby the saddle may reciprocate a blade, the interfltting engagement of the sides of the opening and grooved portions of the saddle substantially preventing relative movement therebetween except along a path parallel to said sides of the opening.

'7. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable retainer normally positioned to cooperate with thesupport in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having a sheet metal body portion with parallel upwardly and inwardly bent flanges, extensions of the ends of these flanges providing grooves engaging the lower surface of the retainer adjoining the opening, ears projecting from said extensions and having extremities slidably engaging the upper surface of the retainer, said ears and extensions providing grooved portions interfitting with the sides of the opening, means associated with the saddle and roller for causing reciprocation of the latter responsive to rotation of the roller, means whereby the saddle may reciprocate a blade, the interfitting engagement of the sides of the opening and grooved portions of the saddle preventing relative movement therebetween except along a patn parallel to said sides of the opening.

8. Razor comprising a blade support, a movable retainer normally positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, said retainer providing an opening with parallel sides, a saddle having a sheet metal body portion with parallel upwardly and inwardly bent flanges, extensions of the ends of these flanges providing grooves engaging the lower surface of the retainer adjoining the opening, ears projecting from saidextensions and having extremities slidably engaging the upper surface of the retainer, said ears and extensions providing grooved portions interfitting with the sides of the opening, said roller providing a cam groove, a follower pin projecting upwardly from the saddle and engaging the sides of the cam groove, the interfitting engagement of said extensions and the sides of the opening restraining the follower pin from engaging the bottom of the groove, and a projection upon the saddle to engage a blade and cause reciprocation of the same.

9. Razor comprising a blade support, a retainer pivotally connected to the support and normal ly positioned to cooperate with the support in holding a blade therebetween, a roller rotatably mounted on the retainer, a saddle slidable on the retainer, said roller having a cam portion, a part of the saddle providing a follower engaging said cam portion so that movement of the roller causes reciprocation of the saddle, said saddle having a depending pin with a conical end portion to en gage an opening in a blade when the retainer is moved to its normal position relative to the support, said retainer having an opening with arallel sides, the saddle having parallel grooved portions slidably engaging said sides of the opening.

10. A saddle for a razor oi the class described comprising a sheet metal member providing a generally planar body portion having parallel upstanding marginal flanges and extensions of the flanges at each end thereof bent to provide grooves, the grooves at the ends of each flange being aligned with each other, and the grooves provided at the ends of opposite flanges being parallel to each other, each extension providing an ear disposed at an angle to the corresponding flange, a follower extending upwardly from the intermediate part of said body portion, and blade driving means depending from said body portion.

11. A saddle for a razor of the class described comprising a sheet metal member providing a generally planar body portion having parallel upstanding marginal flanges and extensions of the flanges at each end thereof bent to provide flange, a follower element projecting upwardly grooves, the grooves at the ends of each flange from the central part of the body portion, and a being aligned with each other, and the grooves driving pin depending from said part of said porprovided at the ends of opposite flanges being tion, said driving pin having a conical lower 5 parallel to each other, each extension providing end terminating in a point.

an ear disposed at an angle to the corresponding WINFRED T. PARKIN. 

